As Sh˘son Ohara he studied Shij˘ painting with Suzuki Kason in the late 19th century. As a woodblock print artist, taking the name of Koson, he made a number of war prints during the Russo-Japanese war (1904-05) and a great number of kach˘ prints for the publisher Daikokuya (Matsuki Heikichi). In 1912 he resumed painting under his original artist's name, but switched to kacho-e in 1926, primarily working for Watanabe Sh˘zabur˘. Great quantities of his work were exported to USA. Later many blocks were recarved, and how many prints were eventually produced is hard to fathom.